Arthur, Mount Track
From Bushwalk Australia
Contents |
Track Briefs
25000:1 MAP: 5243 Lisle
Start (Lat/Long): -41.27756 147.28968
Distance: 10 km via Mountain Rd.
Time required: 3 hrs via Blythe Spur Rd, 5hrs via Mountain Rd.
Degree of difficulty: medium
Elevation Gained: 240m via Blythe Spur Rd, 440m via Mountain Road
Track Type: maintained, cairned
Vehicle Required: 2wd, 4wd preferred for Blythe Spur Rd
Description
Located less than a km from Lilydale, 1 hour from Launceston. Fine bbq facilities and toilet in the town. see also Arthur, Mount (south) -42.88412 147.21895
Walk from myrtle forest up to high alpine plateau with magnificent sweeping 360 views of the coast and hinterland. On a clear day you will not be disapointed. Prepare for exposed conditions - high wind, extreme UV and snow/fog at any time of year.
The shorter route is via Blythe Spur Road. Turn off at Whites Mill Rd. (approximately 700 m on right before Lilydale coming from Launceston) turn left into Blythe Spur road ( unsigned, marked with the first yellow gate on left.) The winding gravel road is not overly steep and was regraded in 2007 making it passable for 2wd - continue for 3.3 km taking the left at any unmarked junctions till you come to the obvious parking area on the left near a final orange gate (locked) just before a bridge over a creek. Walking begins here unless you happen to catch a lift up with the fire warden.
Continue up the road on foot about 200m to a small shelter where his van will be parked if he is at work. Passing this continue directly uphill following faint footpad with faint blue and red paint marks on rocks and trees and the occaisional stone cairn - there will be one or two yellow triangles on trees. The track is quite steep and boulder strewn. As you reach the treeless alpine area the track continues from behind an old vanadalised firetower to a boardwalk.
The boardwalk leads to the east facing new fire tower. Short walk will be rewarded with a fine view from a more sheltered area and perhaps a chat with the warden. However to reach the beehive cairn which you can see from here follow the cairns and footpad leaving the boardwalk about midway. It is overgrown in the upper reaches with some easy boulder hopping required but the transmitter tower and other manmade landmarks are very easy to make out. There is a logbook in a silver canister set into the side of the cairn.
